View of a House and its Estate in Belsize, Middlesex

This is the house that Sir Francis Pemberton built; and here he lived with his wife and seven children until 1697, only a year after Siberechts's painting. Behind the picture is a story of fluctuating fortunes typical of the age. Pemberton added to his estate as opportunity offered. He acquired neighbouring Dorchester House in 1680 and then demolished it to establish the large and evidently productive fruit and vegetable garden shown in the picture on its site.